is there anyone on here who has had Botox injections that might be willing to answer some questions i have about it? I think I will be having it soon, but due to previous procedures having a negative affect on my bladder and mental health, i need to be properly informed before i go ahead.

I too would like to know the pros and cons of Botox for overactive bladder. Any advice would be welcome. Two urologist's have suggested this to me but I have my doubts about how much control I would have over my bladder. Would I know when it is full? Does the Botox take away the sensitive or signals when needing to pee. __________________RB, Surrey

I have OAB and tried all various medications which did not agree with me. After receiving a urodynamic test to confirm I have OAB (which was positive) they offered me botox in the bladder. I found this beneficial as I did not have any side affects from it.They told me that there could be a 20% chance of retention but luckily enough I was fine. It took approx 2 weeks to have full affect and the botox lasted just over 4 months (although everyone is different). This was way back in 2013 I had this done. I have been on Amitriptyline since the botox stopped working and its the best meds that I have tried for OAB. Unfortunately they are not working as good as they should be, maybe immune to them now as I have been on them for 4 years. I am trying to titrate off them slowly but the side affects are not good. Need to be completely off Amitriptyline for 11 days before I can get the botox. Waiting on my appointment coming through so hopefully it all works out ok. Hope this information is of help.

Hi,At last I have an appointment to get botox in my bladder in a few weeks time. The last time I had this I had a General Anaesthetic. This time they are giving me a Local Anaesthetic. I am petrified to go ahead and get this done incase I feel pain. I suffer from anxiety and the thought of having this done while awake terrifies me. Has anyone had botox in the bladder with Local Anaesthetic? If so can you talk me through the procedure please and if it was painful.

Hi Angela. I had local anaesthetic, and I suffer badly with anxiety so I was very nervous.

They put a cystoscope up to your bladder, and you see it on the screen. They then put the needle through the tube that the camera is on and you see it appear through the camera into your bladder. The nurse deposits each dose of Botox one at a time, mine went up to 20, so there were 20 injections. I’m not sure if this is the normal amount. My consultant counted up to 10, each number being an injection, and then down from 10. So he moved the camera with the needle around, injected and said ‘1’ ‘2’ etc, with a small pause in between and I could have said to stop at any time. In terms of how it felt, I would say it was uncomfortable, not necessarily painful but you are aware they are injecting you, I found it better to watch as I knew exactly when it was happening. My bladder is extremely sensitive so I may have felt more than is usual. A couple of the injections were stingy, it is an injection after all, others didn’t feel so bad.

I was dreading having it done and if I had to have it done again I wouldn’t be afraid, don’t get me wrong it’s not something I would look forward to but the process is fine. It took about 2 minutes start to finish with the actual injections so really not long.

If you have had Botox before you know how it feels afterwards and I’m sure it is the same.

I hope this helps answer your question, if you want to know more or have any questions I’m happy to answer as best I can.

Thankyou very much for your quick reply and for talking me through the procedure. I am very grateful. I will call the urology secretary tomorrow to ask if I can have a General but they may refuse. What procedure did they use to give you the local anaesthetic before the botox procedure was carried out and was it painful getting the local?

Angela, you’re welcome. The local anaesthetic I think was on the tip of the camera, they certainly used some gel before inserting the camera. I can’t remember if he flushed a little into my bladder or not, but I can feel even 5mls going in when they are doing tests so possibly not as it’s such a strong feeling for me to tolerate.

My advice to you if they refuse the general would be to go along and try, I took a deep breath each time he injected and it was over so quickly and as I said I would do it again, unfortunately the Botox hasn’t worked so I won’t be. If they start injecting and you can’t tolerate it they can stop, just let them know how you feel first. My consultant was really good because he knew I wanted to just get it over so he didn’t mess around and just got right on and it was really quick. I also booked a clinic appointment with him before because I wanted to be talked through the procedure.

Ultimately it’s your decision an only you know how you feel about it, but if Botox works for you then I would definitely give it a go with local, just because it’s much less stress on the body and more convenient if it’s a repeat procedure.

I have just spoken with the Urology secretary and she has cancelled the appointment. They will send me another app for a pre assessment as they are going to give me general anaesthetic. Im so glad. Thanks for all the advice you have given me xxx__________________angela

Hi,I have had botox injections in my bladder 3 times. First time, I had local anaesthetic, which I wouldn't recommend because it was uncomfortable; I could see everything. The second/third time I had general anaesthetic, which was better. Nevertheless, I was still leaking twice a day; it was only a little amount compared to before. I have been wearing pads for along time. The botox helps ; it isn't a permanent cure though. I am due to see a consultant again. It's not nice having an overactive bladder. How is everything with you?

Hi,Thankyou for your reply. I am still waiting on a rescheduled appointment for general anaesthetic. Still slowly coming down my dosage of amitryptyline which I need to be off for getting botox done. Hopefully hear from them soon. Hope you are keeping well xxx__________________angela

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